Laugh and call him names all you want, but there’s no denying that the furry misfit at the heart of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” has outshone his naysayers to become the most famous holiday TV star of all.

The seasonal perennial was the brainchild of producers Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass, who in 1964 took Johnny Marks’ novelty song and turned it into an instant television classic. When “Rudolph” first aired during a Sunday afternoon on NBC, it drew a 50 share of the audience, which was sensational even in a three-channel universe. Five decades later, fans are still shouting out with glee.

This year on CBS, “Rudolph” celebrates its 50th anniversary, extending its reign as television’s longest-running special. Like “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which turns 50 next year, “Rudolph” is a beloved heirloom handed down from parents to their children.

“It’s a feel-good story of redemption, with a distinctive, magical look to it,” says Rick Goldschmidt, author of “The Enchanted World of Rankin-Bass.” “Obviously, it’s a part of the holiday tradition for many families.”

Paul Soles, who provided the voice for Rudolph’s pal, Hermey the elf, believes the concept of outcasts rising up to be heroes is a key factor in the program’s staying power.

“I don’t think there are many kids who, while growing up, didn’t at some point feel like an outsider or like they didn’t measure up,” he says. “So it’s not difficult to relate to — and love — these characters.”

Over the years, the legend of this animated gem has gotten plenty of shine, but with the help of Goldschmidt, we uncovered 10 things you didn’t know about “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Pull up an ice block and lend an ear.

An international flavor

Rudolph might appear to be an all-American reindeer, but he and his pals were lovingly brought to life overseas by Japanese stop-motion animators working in a building that had previously been used to test engines for fighter planes. In fact, many of the Rankin-Bass “animagic” specials were shot in Japan.

Northern exposure

While the animation for “Rudolph” was done in Japan, the voice work was performed almost entirely in Toronto by Canadian actors. They were largely known for their fine work in radio dramas, which, at the time, were still very popular north of the border.

Say what? Rudolph’s a girl?

Speaking of the people behind the puppets, it might come as a surprise that Rudolph was voiced by a woman. Billie Mae Richards, then 43, was an actress and singer who had a knack for doing little-boy characterizations. Late in life, Richards became a neighbor of Soles at Toronto’s Performing Arts Lodge, a housing complex for showbiz vets. She died in 2010 at the age of 88.

A little nip-and-tuck

Like many screen stars, Santa Claus and little Rudolph have had some cosmetic work done. The two original puppets were in miserable shape when discovered in someone’s attic in 2005. Santa’s fluffy eyebrows and half his mustache were missing, as was Rudolph’s famous nose. After being appraised on “Antiques Roadshow” (estimated value: $8,000 to $10,000), they were bought by a fan and restored to mint condition by a Los Angeles animation studio.

5. A not-so-holly-jolly Dolly

On the Island of Misfit Toys, the Dolly for Sue doesn’t appear to have anything wrong with her, and for decades, fans wondered why she was there. Rankin thought all the speculation a little silly, so he concocted a silly back story. Dolly, he claimed, suffered from depression and self-esteem issues.

6. Making a side trip

The original 1964 airing of “Rudolph” did not have Santa traveling to the Island of Misfit Toys on Christmas Eve to rescue its downtrodden residents. Some disappointed viewers protested, and the show’s sponsor, General Electric, prodded Rankin and Bass to alter the ending. Score one for the outcasts.

7. His song went down in history

Marks, who in 1949 penned his tune about a reindeer with an incandescent snout, initially was reluctant to lend the song rights to television. Recorded by Gene Autry, Andy Williams and others, “Rudolph” was his gold mine, and he feared overexposing it. Marks not only relented, he wound up writing all the show’s other songs.

8. A Burl-y snowman

Burl Ives, the voice behind the show’s dapper narrator, Sam the Snowman, was a late addition. Sam was to be played by Larry Mann, the guy who voiced Yukon Cornelius. But NBC and General Electric thought the show needed some star power. Enter the banjo-playing Ives.

9. No special delivery

In the original script, baby Rudolph was supposed to be delivered to Donner and his wife by a stork named Gus. The sequence, however, was cut for time.

10. Ratings silver and gold

Even now — in an era of DVDs and splintered audiences — “Rudolph” remains a crowd favorite, as the special typically wins the Nielsen race on the night it airs. Last year, more than 13 million viewers tuned in to see Rudolph rescue Christmas once again.

[…] “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (8 p.m., CBS): Laugh and call him names all you want, but there’s no denying that Rudolph continues to be a marquee prime-time attraction. The beloved 1964 animated special gets another holly-jolly airing tonight. (Before you watch, check out 10 things you didn’t know about the “Rudolph” special). […]

https://bestspecialnews.com/rudolph-gets-lit-during-his-annual-visit-east-bay-times/ ‘Rudolph’ gets lit during his annual visit – East Bay Times - Best Special News

[…] “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (8 p.m., CBS): Laugh and call him names all you want, but there’s no denying that Rudolph continues to be a marquee prime-time attraction. The beloved 1964 animated special gets another holly-jolly airing tonight. (Before you watch, check out 10 things you didn’t know about the “Rudolph” special). […]